Man sentenced for starving nine dogs to death

A man who starved nine dogs at his home, causing the deaths of five of them, has been banned from keeping animals for life.

RSPCA officers found four severely emaciated dogs alive and the bodies of five others, "some decomposed, some tethered or confined, all surrounded by faeces and rubbish" in June 2023.

Joshua Johnson, from Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering.

He was also given a two-year jail sentence suspended for 21 months at Birmingham Crown Court.

The four surviving dogs were taken in by the RSPCA, but were subsequently put to to sleep due to issues staff believed were linked to their lack of care, the charity said.

An RSPCA officer went to the 28-year-old's home in Spring Road on 7 June after concerns were raised about a dog in a poor condition.

A "severely emaciated" tan-coloured Kangal-type female dog was found behind bars in the back yard area with her ribs, spine and pelvis visibly protruding, and no food or water available, the charity said.

A second dog's head could be seen above a dividing barrier and more were later discovered.

RSPCA Inspector Steve Morrall who went to the home said: "Inside the house and grounds we found four dogs alive but skeletal, and five dogs deceased - some decomposed, some tethered or confined, all surrounded by faeces and rubbish."

An examination by a vet showed each dog had a body condition score of just one out of nine - a healthy dog should score four to five - and severe muscle wastage consistent with prolonged starvation, the RSPCA said.

One dog had overgrown claws and muscle fibrosis indicating long-term lack of mobility.

The charity said Johnson claimed to be "working his way through" a number of issues involving alcohol and drugs of which he was "very ashamed", and it was recognised in court that his life was "out of control at the time".

He was also ordered to undergo alcohol and drug rehabilitation as part of his sentence after the trial on 17 November.

"This was a hugely distressing case to investigate," Insp Morrall said.

"Several dogs had already died, and the surviving dogs were desperately thin, weak and thirsty.

"No animal should ever be left to endure such prolonged suffering."

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